The Poor Scholar's Soliloquy by Stephen M. Corey

SOME QUESTIONS TO REFLECT UPON(Courtesy of my college professor)

1. If you were a teacher observing this boy in the situation and had a chance to read his "soliloquy," what would you say is his main problem?
2. Why do you think teacher's don't like this boy? If you were his teacher, would you like him?
3. Does this boy seem to be mentally slow or deficient?
4. Why do you think this boy's uncle likes to have him work with him?
5. This boys family thinks he should quit school when he turns 15. Do you think he should?
6. This piece was written in 1944. Is the situation the boy describes still typical of American education?

1. I would say this boy's main problem is that he just can't relate to the material. He also seems to have a problem with literacy and memorizing facts.

2.  I think this boy is difficult to teach for some teachers. If I were a teacher I believe I would like him. He seems like a good kid who really tries hard. I would try to get him writing on topics which interest him. He seems very smart despite his obvious struggle with writing. By getting this student writing more often on topics which interested him I believe I could help him improve his writing skills as well as see writing as an important aspect of his life.

3. No. This boy seems to be very intelligent. He seems to have very good navigation skills and can do arithmetic perfectly fine when it comes to calculating depreciation and other business-related math. He also does reasonably well with his writing when it comes to writing for the business as well.  It seems as if he is stronger in a hands-on environment which directly relates to his interest in trucks and running a mechanic business.

4. The boy's uncle seems to like working with him because he seems like a genuinely good kid. He seems eager to learn about the business as well as helping out his community. He seems to be very helpful around the shop as well as a pleasure to be around.


5. No, I do not believe this boy should drop out of school. Even in 1944 a high school education is important. I believe this student is smart, however, he still has a lot to learn. There are business-related skills which his teachers can help him master. This boy can gain a lot of knowledge after school hours and on weekends with his uncle as well as full time after he graduates high school.

6. I believe this story is still typical of many students in the American education system today.